There is an “unanswerable case” for Scottish voters to reject independence in next year's referendum, Prime Minister David Cameron has said.

In his speech to the Conservative Party Conference in Manchester, Mr Cameron said the country should "stick together".

Mr Cameron said: "All the arguments about the economy, about our currency - I believe they make an unanswerable case for the United Kingdom.

"But today I want a more simple message to go out to all the people of Scotland. From us here in this hall, from this party, from this country, from England, and yes from Wales, Northern Ireland too - and it is this, we want you to stay.

"We want us to stick together. Think of all we've achieved together, all the things we can do together. The nation, as one. Our Kingdom - united."

He added: "For 12 years now, men and women from all parts of these islands have been serving their country in Afghanistan. Next year, the last of our combat troops will be coming home, having trained up the Afghans to look after their own country.

"More than a decade of war, sacrifice beyond measure - from the finest and bravest armed forces in the world. And I want us today to stand, to raise the roof in here, to show just how proud of those men and women all of us are."

Last week, Mr Cameron formally refused to go head-to-head with Scotland's First Minister in a televised debate on the independence referendum.

In a letter to Alex Salmond, he said issue was a matter for "Scots living in Scotland" and should not become a glorified general election.